Members of Britain’s largest food bank network have moved into the United Reformed Church’s London office.

The Trussell Trust’s external affairs team moved into Church House in early January, and will continue to carry out its vital work.

The charity, which is based on Christian principles, gave 1,182,954 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis,  across the UK, from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 compared to 1,109,309 the previous year. Of this number, 436,938 went to children.

Garry Lemon, Head of External Affairs, said: ‘We’re so excited that the external affairs team of the Trussell Trust will be working out of the [United Reformed Church’s] beautiful Church House building. Our mission is to end hunger in the UK and we’ll be working hard to challenge injustice alongside Greenbelt and the other organisations within the building.’

Jane Baird, the URC’s Deputy General Secretary (Administration and Resources), added: ‘We are delighted to have the Trussell Trust in Church House.  The trust does invaluable work to address inequality and deprivation through foodbanks. Many URC congregations support this organisation and its work in their communities. Having the team working close represents a strengthening of existing relationships.’

The charity works with people of all faiths and none, and is inspired by Jesus’ words as in Matthew 25:35-36:

‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

The Trussell Trust joins Greenbelt – the arts, faith and justice festival – which moved into the building in September, as Church House’s top floor residents.